Portable ventilator system

• US 8,683,997 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Issued: 04/01/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vyaire Medical 203 Incorporated (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Carefusion 303 Incorporated (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: DeVries, Douglas F., Boyle, David, Holmes, Michael, Williams, Malcolm
• Primary Examiner(s): Dixon, Annette
• Application Number:
  US11/979,142
• Publication Number:
  US 20080053438A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,344 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.24, 128/203.12, 128/203.13, 128/203.14, 128/204.18, 128/204.21, 128/204.23, 128/206.21, 128/DIG.7, 128/203.11, 128/205.24, 418/206.1, 418/206.5, 418/201.1, 418/201.3
• US Class Current: 128/204.21
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/00 Sprayers or atomisers specially adapted for therapeutic purposes in general B05B; aerosol containers B65D83/14
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0051 with alarm devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0057 Pumps therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0063 Compressors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0066 Blowers or centrifugal pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0069 the speed thereof being controlled by respiratory parameters, e.g. by inhalation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/026 specially adapted for predicting, e.g. for determining an information representative of a flow limitation during a ventilation cycle by using a root square technique or a regression analysis
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/107 in the inspiratory path
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/12 by mixing different gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/202 electrically actuated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/205 used for exhalation control
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/206 Capsule valves, e.g. mushroom, membrane valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/209 Relief valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0021 with a proportional output signal, e.g. from a thermistor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0027 pressure meter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0036 in the breathing tube and used in both inspiratory and expiratory phase
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/1025 the O2 concentration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0208 Oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/16 with back-up system in case of failure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3317 Electromagnetic, inductive or dielectric measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3365 : Rotational speed
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3368 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3553 : remote, e.g. between patient's home and doctor's office
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3569 : sublocal, e.g. between console and disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3584 : using modem, internet or bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/42 : Reducing noise
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/505 : Touch-screens; Virtual keyboard or keypads; Virtual buttons; Soft keys; Mouse touches
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/52 : with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 : by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 : by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/70 : with testing or calibration facilities
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 : battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8237 : Charging means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8262 : connectable to external power source, e.g. connecting to automobile battery through the cigarette lighter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/086 : Docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/205 : partial oxygen pressure (P-O2)
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/432 : partial CO2 pressure (P-CO2)
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/435 : partial O2 pressure (P-O2)
• CPC Class Codes: F01C 21/106 : with a radial surface, e.g. cam rings
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 18/126 : with radially from the rotor body extending elements, not necessarily co-operating with corresponding recesses in the other rotor, e.g. lobes, Roots type
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2270/12 : Vibration
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 29/0035 : Equalization of pressure pulses silencing F04C29/06
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 29/068 : the silencing means being arranged inside the pump housing
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 29/12 : Arrangements for admission or discharge of the working fluid, e.g. constructional features of the inlet or outlet
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/40 : relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 6/17 : and for generating speed information

Abstract

A portable ventilator uses a ROOTS-type blower as a compressor to reduce both the size and power consumption of the ventilator. Various functional aspects of the ventilator are delegated to multiple subassemblies having dedicated controllers and software that interact with a ventilator processor to provide user interface functions, exhalation control and flow control servos, and monitoring of patient status. The ventilator overcomes noise problems through the use of noise reducing pressure compensating orifices on the ROOTS-type blower housing and multiple baffling chambers. The ventilator is configured with a highly portable form factor, and may be used as a stand-alone device or as a docked device having a docking cradle with enhanced interface and monitoring capabilities.

Claims

1. A portable ventilator comprising:

a blower unit outputting compressed gas and including interlocking helical lobed impellers counter-rotatable within a blower housing in variable speed mode;

a speed servo configured to change a speed of the interlocking helical lobed impellers of the blower unit to accelerate and decelerate the blower unit to provide ventilation; and

an exhalation servo control system configured to provide a desired positive end expiratory pressure from the output of said blower unit.

2. The portable ventilator of claim 1, further comprising a ventilator control system comprising a plurality of processors including a ventilator processor operative to alternately accelerate and decelerate the blower unit to effect inspiration and permit exhalation.

3. The portable ventilator of claim 2, wherein the ventilator control system further comprises at least one of a blower processor, an exhalation processor, a blender processor, and a pressure processor.

4. The portable ventilator of claim 3, wherein:

each processor is operative to communicate with the ventilator processor,

the blower processor being operative to control operation of the blower unit,

the exhalation processor being operative to control actuation of an exhalation control valve,

the blender processor being operative to regulate oxygen concentration in gas delivered outside the blower housing, and

the pressure processor being operative to monitor pressure at least one transducer disposed within the portable ventilator.

5. The portable ventilator of claim 1 further comprising an integration of the blower unit and speed servo with at least one of a transducer module, an exhalation control module and a blender module.

6. The portable ventilator of claim 5, wherein:

the exhalation module being operative to control actuation of an exhalation control valve,

the blender module being operative to regulate oxygen concentration in the delivered gas, and

the pressure module being operative to monitor pressure in the transducers.

7. The portable ventilator of claim 6 wherein:

the ventilator control system includes at least one of a blower processor, an exhalation processor, a blender processor, and a pressure processor,

each processor communicating with the ventilator processor,

the blower processor controlling operation of the blower unit;

the exhalation processor controlling actuation of an exhalation control valve,

the blender processor regulating oxygen concentration in gas provided externally, and

the pressure processor monitoring at least one transducer disposed within the portable ventilator.

8. The portable ventilator of claim 1, further comprising:

a motor driving the blower unit; and

a blower processor controlling operation of the blower unit,

wherein the blower processor provides control signals to the motor based on at least one of the following;

characterization data for the blower, and a measurement of gas flow generated by the blower unit.

9. A portable ventilator comprising:

a blower unit having interlocking helical lobed impellers counter-rotatable within a blower housing at a varying speed, said blower unit providing compressed gas for providing ventilation;

a speed servo coupled to the blower unit and configured to maintain a speed of the blower unit at a substantially constant speed to provide a desired flow rate; and

an exhalation servo control system configured to close an output valve during an exhalation phase of the ventilation.

10. A portable ventilator, comprising:

a blower unit having interlocking helical lobed impellers counter-rotatable within a blower housing for providing gas flow; and

a pressure transducer module monitoring pressure transducers of the portable ventilator, an exhalation control module controlling actuation of an exhalation control valve;

a blender module regulating oxygen concentration in gas delivered; and

a blower module controlling operation of the blower unit, wherein the blower module is communicatively coupled to the blower unit and configured to control a speed of the blower unit.

11. An apparatus, comprising:

a first unit drawing gas through an inlet unit and delivering pressurized gas through an inspiratory port, the gas being pressurized by interlocking helical lobed impellers of a compressor unit, the compressor unit supporting both single limb and dual limb patient circuits, accommodating an exhalation valve being implemented either externally or internally with respect to a ventilator enclosure;

a second unit with an exhalation control port and PEEP (positive end-expiratory pressure) control generate a pilot pressure that closes exhalation valve during inspiration and opens it against a software controlled PEEP pilot pressure during exhalation, with the software being stored in a memory unit;

a first processor controlling a speed of the interlocking helical lobed impellers of the first unit;

a second processor, separate from the first processor, controlling the second unit; and

a third processor, separate from the first and second processors, being in communication with both first and second processor.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a scavenging port recycling the compressed gas that is not used during exhalation.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a blender unit delivering blended gas to the compressor unit.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the blended gas delivery in an inspiratory limb being monitored via an external sensor coupled to an interface of the blender unit, and displayed on a user interface.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a second sensor monitoring blood oxygen level, coupled to an internal pulse oximeter, and displayed on the user interface.

16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first, second units and the first, second and third processors are integrated into a single unit.

17. A method, comprising:

outputting compressed gas with interlocking helical lobed impellers counter-rotatable in a variable speed mode or a constant speed mode by a first unit;

changing, by a processor, a speed of the interlocking lobed impellers to provide ventilation by a second unit; and

providing a desired positive end expiratory pressure from the output of the compressed gas by a third unit.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising controlling with a plurality of processors including a ventilator processor alternately accelerate and decelerate the compressed gas to effect inspiration and permit exhalation.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein controlling with the plurality of processors including at least one of a blower processor, an exhalation processor, a blender processor, and a pressure processor.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein:

communicating from each processor with a main processor,

controlling with the blower processor the operation of the compressed gas,

controlling actuation of an exhalation control valve by the exhalation processor,

regulating oxygen concentration in gas delivered by the blender processor, and

monitoring pressure with at least one transducer by the pressure processor.

21. The method of claim 17, further comprising an integrating the first, second and third unit into a single unit, with each unit being controlled separately and in communication with each other.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

controlling actuation of an exhalation control valve by a fourth unit;

regulating oxygen concentration in the delivered gas by a fifth unit; and

monitoring pressure in the transducers by a sixth unit.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein:

the fourth, fifth and sixth units being integrated into the single unit with the first, second and third units;

the fourth, fifth and sixth units being controlled separately from each other and in communication with each other; and

the first unit supports both single limb and dual limb patient circuits, accommodating an exhalation valve being implemented either externally or internally with respect to a ventilator enclosure.

24. A portable ventilator, comprising:

a means for outputting compressed gas and including interlocking helical lobed impellers counter-rotatable within a blower housing in variable speed mode;

a means for accelerating and decelerating the interlocking helical lobed impellers of the means for outputting compressed gas to provide ventilation;

a means for providing a desired positive end expiratory pressure from the output of the means for outputting compressed gas; and

a means for controlling the ventilator comprising a plurality of processors including a ventilator processor operative to alternately accelerate and decelerate the means for outputting compressed gas to effect inspiration and permit exhalation within the blower housing.